The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-10-27
THE TARIFF swINDLE.
The Farmer and the Mechanic its
Victims.
A scheme Concocted to Make the Koo'
Man Poorer and the Rich
Man Richer.

The question at issue to-day is not
whether it is wise, just, or expedient tc
exact tariff-tax at all, not whether as
a matter of economical philosophy
"Free Trade" or Protection" is the
true theory of International commercia
Exchanges, Tut whether IN view OF the
large and constantly increasing annua
surplus in the treasury tnow more thar
one hundred million dollarsl and the
financial stringency caused by the con
slant accumulation of the peoplei
money where it can not be used ex
cept by creating new. and unnecessary
channels of expenditure, it is not bes
to stop the accumulation in such way
as to afford relief to thesgreat mass q
the people.
The present tariff system b one Q.
the most iniquitous that can be con
ceived. Not only is the burden that it
imposes upon the people enormous but
it is radically unjust, and practically
outrageous. Upon the plea Of protect
ing American work, it robs the Ameri-
can workingman, whether he be farmer
or mechanic, with the real Though not
avowed) purpose of enriching the ner-
chant and the manufactures. And
then, after the robbery has been COM
mitted, it discriminates constantly in
favor of the robber, on the principle
that ssto him that hath shall be given
more abundantly, and from him that
hath not shall be taken even the little
that he hath"
Let US see how this works in the
case OF
THE FARMER AND THE MANUFACTURER.
The present tariff discriniadtes an taror
of the a,dn,yaetarer, against the producer
of the raag 8laterial, schO Is the aJricattttl-
ast.
In the first place, it admits, duty free,
or with very light duties, large class
of articles used in manufactures while
it imposes very heavy duties on articles
consume by the agriculturist, which
come into competition with the articles
produced by the manufacturer.
1t admits, duty free, all berries, nuts
and vegetables used in dyeing, all dye
woods in the stitch, barilla, bleaching
powder, Brazil wood, kelp, indigo, lac
dye, madden, crude saltpetre, shellac,
sumac, turmeric, and numerous other
articles catering into manufactures.
The articles above enumerated, and
many others, are admitted without any
duties, in order to benefit or "protect"
80, "a, r.,hsI In fhxaEf f.arp 1arsm
and other laboring men who buy the
goods manufactured, are taxed on all
articles of manufacture coming in COM
petition with domestic articles OF the
same kind, from 30 to 100 per cent.
To benefit the manufacturer, the Mool
which comes in direct competition with
that raised by Ohio wool-growers, is AL
mitted at . cents per pound; while
the farmer who raises WOOL, and other
/ working people, have to pay for the
cloth into which it is manufactured, a
tax of over IS per cent, in addition to
the price of the goods and the profits
thereon.
10 benefit the manufacturer, fax is
admitted at . duty of $40 per ton, VIII ch
is equal to 8 per cent ad Eai0Fem; while
the consumer is taxei 80 to 10 per cent,
on all articles into which it is manufact-
ured.
Raw hides, which come in eonpeti-
tition with the farmers, are a limited
free of duty; while the leather, into
which they are manufactured, is pro
tected" by . duty of 20 per cent, ad
vaiorem,
Bristles pay duty which is ealal +,
8 per cent, ad valorem; Whii,s !h'
brushes into which they are lnaaufac
tured pay per cent.
Linseed pays duty equal to bnt ;
per cent; while Iinseed oil, int whicf
it is manufactured, pays duty equal t.
43 per cent al vaiofem.
Rags pay duty of % per cent; Will,
the paper into which they are manufact
ured pays a duty ranging from 10 10 81
per cent.
These examples would seem to be suf
fcient TO prove -conclusively TO the mos
preju iced mind, even, that the inaiI
obIe,r of the existing tariff is to pam
per ani enrich the manufactures at tn,
expence OF the community. 1t has beer
sufficiently shown that the presen
tariff discriminates in faTor OF the man
ufacturer and against the producer o
the raw material and the consumer.
IN FAVOR OF THE; RICH, AGAINST TIL
POOR.
The present tariff also discriminate
in favor of the rich consumer, an,
against the poor consumer,-in othe
words, it imposes the lightest duty on III
articles consumed by the. rich, and th
heaviest duty upoH those consumed by ,l
poor; tats sxensptsaag capital, and taxin.
labor.
A few examples must suffice:
It.taxes the rich silk dress worn b,
the lady of fashion but 25 per cent
while it taxes the poor woman for he
silk dress made of the poorest ane
cheapest material, % per cent.
1t taxes the rich woman but 20 pei
cent on her fine French nnslin; while
it taxes the poor woman as high as -:
per cent. on her cheap Calico.
It taxes the fat-iron of the poos
washerwoman from 90 to 100 per cent
the hatter's and tailor's irons from SD te
100 per cent; the blacksmith for his
anvil AMI hammer from IS to 80 per
cent; AMI the farmer for his axes, hoes
shovels, spades, and chains, from IS te
80 per cent while it taxes the gold
watch OF dandy and the dude but q
per cent; diamonds, gems, and camecs,
10 per cent; and jewelry, generally, bui
20 per cent.
But it is unnecessary to multiply
instances of this enormous extortiol
upon the producing and consuming
classes, for the benefit OF the mann.
facturers, through the instrumeatality
of the present tariff. And what is the
effect? 1t is to transfer moaeJ IRON che
pockets of tie CONSUMING classes 70 ~
pockets Of he manufacturing class. To
tendency is to impoverish the many and
to enrich the few. Its direct effect ID
to create immense fortunes for the re.
cipients OF its bounties; while it ab.
stracts the substance from. and d..
presses, the masses of the people. >
The practical question for the pvus
man, no matter ,shat his calling, 10 hox
to vote 30 as to tighten his bird ,n3, Il
not directly to increase his earn.ngs
yet 30 as to increase their pur, has.l.a
power.
The Republican, propose 10 r.lce7
tho surplus revenue 10y taking the tas
oil wl,iskey and tobacco. This Demo.
cratic plan is to tako tho tax of th.se
necessary articles OF food and clothing
which even the Poorest l. N must ayo.
If tho POOR t1a.i HaEts chiefly ia buy
moro l.hisksY and tobacco. no will .ote
the lsepnblicE.l ticket. II he vaEt1 lhc
means t. buy more nd be.ter fond on,]